Vehicle wash system having a vertically operated top brush with a scissor support mechanism

ABSTRACT

A vehicle washing system includes a frame disposed above a vehicle treatment area, and an extendable and retractable scissor mechanism coupled to the frame. A rotatable top brush is coupled to a bottom end of the scissor mechanism, and the scissor mechanism is extendable downward to lower the top brush into engagement with a vehicle body and retractable upward to remove the brush from engagement with the vehicle body. The scissor mechanism may include a brush support flange coupled to a bottom end of the scissor mechanism. An anti-spin member may extend from the support member to the scissor mechanism to prevent bending of the scissor mechanism in response to rotating to the top brush. The anti-spin member may be in the form of a fork that slidably engages a protrusion of the scissor mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/596,005, filed Dec. 7, 2017, titled “AnImproved Rollover Vehicle Wash System,” the entire contents of which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

This application is related to co-filed United States patentapplications, filed Dec. 7, 2018, with reference made to the TITLE andAttorney Docket Number, including: VEHICLE WASH SYSTEM HAVING AVERTICALLY OPERATED TOP BRUSH WITH PIVOTING ABILITY, Attorney DocketNumber 52107-188; VEHICLE WASH SYSTEM HAVING A VERTICALLY OPERATED TOPBRUSH WITH COLLAPSIBLE GUIDE TRACK SYSTEM, Attorney Docket Number52107-186; VEHICLE WASH SYSTEM WITH SIDE BRUSHES HAVING TWO OR MOREAXIAL ORIENTATIONS, Attorney Docket Number 52107-187; VEHICLE WASHSYSTEM WITH SIDE BRUSHES HAVING THREE OR MORE AXIAL ORIENTATIONS,Attorney Docket Number 52107-196; VEHICLE WASH SYSTEM WITH PIVOTING SIDEBRUSHES AND METHOD FOR AVOIDING VEHICLE ANTENNA, Attorney Docket Number52107-198; VEHICLE WASH SYSTEM WITH PIVOTING SIDE BRUSHES AND METHOD FORAVOIDING VEHICLE SIDE MIRRORS, Attorney Docket Number 52107-199; VEHICLEWASH SYSTEM HAVING A MULTI-SPEED CAR WASH BRUSH, Attorney Docket Number52107-200, and the entire contents of each of the above listed co-filedapplications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a vehicle wash system forcleaning an exterior surface of a vehicle. More specifically, thepresent disclosure relates to a vehicle wash system having a verticallyoperated top brush with a scissor support mechanism and an anti-spinmechanism.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle wash systems are in common use to clean passenger vehicles suchas automobiles. These vehicle wash systems may include a number ofwashing components that can be used to clean different sections of thevehicle. For example, wash systems may include a top brush that cleansthe top surfaces of the vehicle and side brushes that clean the sidesurfaces of the vehicle. The top brush is typically raised and loweredrelative to the vehicle to clean the varying heights inherent in the topsurfaces of vehicles. The top brush may also be moved fore-and-aft totravel along the length of the vehicle, or the vehicle may be conveyedpast the top brush to cover the length of the vehicle. The side brushes,similar to the top brush, may be translated fore-and-aft relative to thevehicle to cover the length of the vehicle, either by translating thebrush relative to stationary vehicle, or conveying the vehicle paststationary brushes.

To adjust the height of the top brush with respect to a vehicletreatment area, the brush may be carried on a vertical rail system, withthe brush extending horizontally between opposing rails. The rails aredisposed on opposite sides of the vehicle, and the brush extends acrossthe width of the vehicle between the rails. During vertical movement ofthe top brush, the brush will become in the path of the vehicle, eitherin front of or behind a portion of the vehicle. Accordingly, substantialdamage can occur in the event that the vehicle moves when the top brushis in a lowered position and in the path of the vehicle. Similarly,because the top brush is moved relative to the vehicle, either bytranslating the brush or conveying the vehicle, the top brush maycollide with the vehicle in the event the vertical movement of the topbrush is not controlled properly relative to the for-and-aft movementrelative to the vehicle. Again, such contact with the brush can causesignificant damage to the top brush and/or rail system necessitatingrepair thereof and also causing significant down time of the washsystem. Additionally, the rails of these prior systems are fixed and donot retract as the top brush retracts from the path of a vehicle. Assuch, they are susceptible to unwanted vehicle contact and thus damage.Moreover, because these top brush systems remain in a single verticalposition, they require an advanced control system, such as includingtorque sensors and feedback, to follow the contour of the car as thebrush moves relative to the car.

In view of the above, there is a need for an improved vehicle washsystem.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is therefore an aspect of the disclosure to provide a vehicle washsystem that minimizes damage to the system as well as vehicles thatenter the wash.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle washsystem that provides improved cleaning capabilities. According to theabove and other aspects, a vehicle washing system is provided. Thevehicle wash system includes a frame disposed adjacent a vehicletreatment area configured to receive a vehicle to be cleaned, the frameconfigured to support one or more vehicle treatment components. Ascissor mechanism is coupled to the frame, wherein the scissor mechanismis configured to reciprocate vertically with respect to the frame towardand away from the vehicle treatment area. A brush is coupled to thescissor mechanism such that the brush can be raised and lowered withrespect to a vehicle in the vehicle treatment area as the scissormechanism reciprocates, wherein the brush is rotatable about a centralaxis thereof. A vertical drive mechanism is coupled to the scissormechanism, the vertical drive mechanism configured to raise and lowerthe scissor mechanism.

In another aspect, the system includes an anti-spin mechanism coupled tothe scissor mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects of the present disclosure will be readily appreciated, asthe same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art wash system with a top brush that ismoveable along vertically mounted rails with the top brush in an upperposition;

FIG. 2 illustrates the prior art system of FIG. 1, with the top brush inan intermediate position;

FIG. 3 illustrates the prior art system of FIG. 2, with the top brush ina lower position;

FIG. 4 illustrates a vehicle wash system with a vehicle disposed withina vehicle treatment area, a frame supported on elevated rails anddisposed above the vehicle treatment area, and a top brush attached tothe frame via an adjustable support structure that extends downward fromthe frame, with the top brush in a pivoted position in accordance withan aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the system in the same state asFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 illustrates the vehicle wash system, with the top brush retractedpartially and pivoted, the frame moved rearward, and the vehicle pullingforward in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of system in the same state asFIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates the system with the top brush retracted fully and notpivoted, and the vehicle pulling further forward in accordance with anaspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of system in the same state asFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates the system with the frame moved further rearward andthe vehicle pulled further forward in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of system in the same state asFIG. 10;

FIG. 12 illustrates the system in another state, with the top brush in apivoted and extended position in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of system in the same state asFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates the system in another state, with the top brush in apivoted and partially retracted position in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of system in the same state asFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates the system in another state, with the top brush in avertical and another retracted position in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of system in the same state asFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 illustrates the system in another state, with the top brush in apivoted and another retracted position in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 19 illustrates a perspective view of system in the same state asFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 illustrates the system in another state, with the top brush in apivoted and another extended position in accordance with an aspect ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of system in the same state asFIG. 20;

FIG. 22 illustrates a vertical translation mechanism for the top brushshown in a retracted configuration in accordance with an aspect of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 23 illustrates the vertical translation mechanism in an extendedposition relative to FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 illustrates the vertical translation mechanism in an extendedposition relative to FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 illustrates one side of the vertical translation mechanism in apartially extended position in accordance with an aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 26 illustrates the vertical translation mechanism in an extendedposition relative to FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 illustrates a partial view of the vertical translation mechanismin accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 28 illustrates a partial view of the vertical translation mechanismin a retracted position relative to FIG. 27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle wash system, which may beconfigured as a rollover type system where the vehicle remainsstationary and the various treatment components may be translated and/ormoved with respect to the vehicle to perform the vehicle wash process.As is known to one of ordinary skill in the art, a rollover wash systemcarries various components that treat a vehicle in a predeterminedsequence as the rollover wash system makes passes over the length of avehicle. It will be appreciated that various aspects, components, orportions of the disclosed vehicle wash system may be utilized oremployed as part of a conveyor wash system where a vehicle is conveyedpast stationary wash components to treat the vehicle exterior as ittravels through the wash facility. It will be appreciated that thevarious aspects, components, or portions of the disclosed vehicle washsystem may be employed in connection with a variety of otherapplications outside of a rollover or conveyor vehicle wash system, suchas a manual wash or self-service wash process.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a prior art vehicle wash system 300, which includesa vehicle treatment area 312 where a vehicle 314 is to be positioned ina vehicle wash for treatment thereof. As shown, the wash system 300includes a frame 316 supported on a horizontal rail system 318, suchthat the frame 316 may reciprocate forwardly and rearwardly on the railsystem 318 to travel over the length of the vehicle treatment area 312and the vehicle 314 therein. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the rail system 318is in the form of ground engaging rails, and the frame extends upwardlyfrom the rail system 318 and passes over the top of the vehicletreatment area 312.

The frame 316 may include various vehicle treatment components supportedthereon, such as a top brush 320 oriented generally horizontal to theground and disposed for treatment of an upper surface of the vehicle312. The frame 316 may include a pair of vertical rails 322 attached atlaterally opposite sides of the frame 316. The rails 322 may support ahorizontal shaft 324 that extends laterally between the rails 322 andthat supports the top brush 320 for rotation. The top brush 320 isvertically moveable along the rails 322 in order to be disposed atdifferent vertical heights relative to the vehicle treatment area 312and the vehicle 314 disposed therein under direction of a control systemin cooperation with various feedback devices such as a torque sensor.

FIG. 1 shows the top brush 320 in an upper position, in which the topbrush 320 may be passed over the top of the vehicle 314 by translatingthe frame 316 rearward. Similarly, in this position, the vehicle 314 maypull forward through the frame 316 and under the top brush. In thisposition, there is a reduced likelihood of damage to the vehicle 314 orthe top brush 320, because the vehicle 314 may pass the top brush 320without contacting any rigid structure.

FIG. 2 shows the top brush in a middle position, in which the top brush320 has been lowered relative to the top position, and may be in linewith the vehicle windshield. In this position, there is an increasedlikelihood of damage to the vehicle 314 or the top brush 320 in theevent the vehicle 314 or brush 320 are moved horizontally toward eachother, because the shaft or other support structure of the brush 320 mayimpact the top of the vehicle 314.

FIG. 3 shows the top brush 320 in a lower position, in which the topbrush 320 is vertically aligned with a front portion of the vehicle. Inthis position, there is a high likelihood of damage to the brush 320 andvehicle 314 if the vehicle 314 pulls forward or if the brush 320 ismoved rearward and is not raised in accordance with the top contour ofthe vehicle 314.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an example of a rollover type wash system, but theabove use of the vertical rails 322 and the top brush 320 are also knownto be applied to conveyor type systems in which the vehicle 314 is movedpast a horizontally stationary top brush 320. The top brush 320 muststill be controlled to be raised and lowered according to the vehiclecontour, and there is an increased potential for damage if the vehicle314 is conveyed into the brush 320 when it is in a lowered positionrelative to the top position.

With reference to FIGS. 4-21, according to an aspect, the disclosedvehicle wash system 10 includes a vehicle treatment area 12 where avehicle 14 is to be positioned in a vehicle wash for treatment thereof.As shown, the wash system 10 can include a frame 16 disposed adjacentthe vehicle treatment area 12. According to an aspect, the frame 16 maybe supported on an overhead rail system 18 such that the frame 16 mayreciprocate forwardly and rearwardly on the overhead rail system 18 inorder to travel over the length of the vehicle treatment area 12 and thevehicle 14 therein. According to one aspect, the frame 16 does nottravel on ground engaging rails. The frame 16 may also support aplurality of treatment components configured to treat an exteriorsurface of the vehicle 14. According to an aspect as shown in theFigures, the frame 16 may support a top brush 20 oriented generallyhorizontal to the ground and extending laterally across the vehicletreatment area 12 and disposed for treatment of an upper surface of thevehicle 14. The frame 16 may also support a pair of side brushes (notshown) configured to travel along and treat either side of a vehicle 14in the vehicle treatment area 12. The pair of side brushes can beoriented generally perpendicular to ground.

The frame 16 may carry a variety of other or different treatmentcomponents, such as foam nozzles and fluid nozzles, which can emit foamor high pressure fluid onto both the top and sides of the vehicle 14 inthe vehicle treatment area 12. It will further be appreciated that theframe 16 may carry or support a variety of other or different vehicletreatment components. The frame 16 may also have a variety of differentconfigurations and may be supported in a variety of suitable ways. Itwill be appreciated that the frame could be eliminated and the top brushand other components could be supported in a variety of other suitableways. The foam nozzles and the fluid nozzles, and other vehicletreatment components attached to the frame 16 may have a variety ofdifferent configurations.

According to an aspect, the disclosed vehicle wash system 10 can provideimproved cleaning capabilities without yielding a significant increasein the time of the wash process. According to a further aspect, thedisclosed vehicle wash system 10 can provide a decrease in the timerequired to effectuate a vehicle wash process as compared to priorrollover wash systems. The vehicle wash system 10 can include a controlsystem 30 that is in communication with the frame 16 and the variouswash components to effectuate the vehicle cleaning process. According toan aspect, the control system 30 can include an electronic motorcontroller, a programmable logic controller and a communication networkon which all of the components can communicate. According to anotheraspect, the communication network may be an Ethernet network. It willalso be appreciated that the communication network can be configuredsuch that the components communicate wirelessly. It will be appreciatedthat the control system 30 can include a variety of other components.The control system 30 can thus allow the various components on thesystem to talk to one another. The control system 30 can also allow forthe generation of e-mails and other notifications that can be delivered,including to the operator of the vehicle wash, such as to advise of anyfaults with the system.

According to an aspect, the top brush 20 can include a hub portion 32and a plurality of wash media elements 34, as shown in FIG. 4, disposedaround and in communication with the hub portion 32. Each hub portion 32may be in communication with an axle that is secured to or otherwisecoupled to the hub portion 32 to effect rotation thereof. Preferably,the plurality of wash media elements 34 are coupled to or secured to thehub portion 32. The drive axle may be in communication with a powersource such as a motor. It will be appreciated that a variety ofsuitable power sources may be employed to effect rotation of the topbrush 20. According to an aspect, the wash media elements 34 may beconstructed of an EVA foam and may be generally self-supporting alongtheir length. An exemplary media element is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.8,990,993, which is owned by the Assignee of the present application. Itwill be appreciated that the wash media elements 34 may have a varietyof different shapes and configurations and may be constructed from avariety of different materials.

According to a further aspect, the system as an initial step maydetermine a profile of the vehicle 14 in the vehicle treatment area 12to be washed. It will be appreciated that this profiling of the geometryof the vehicle 14 may be accomplished in a variety of ways, including byemploying a variety of sensors or other detection devices. According toan aspect, the geometric profiling may be accomplished in an initialpass of the frame 16 over the vehicle 14. It will also be appreciatedthat the geometric profiling can be accomplished in a variety ofdifferent ways or by multiple passes of the frame 16 over the vehicle14. According to a further aspect, the geometric profiling can beaccomplished when the vehicle enters the vehicle wash facility or thevehicle treatment area to eliminate a preliminary mapping or profilingpass of the frame 16.

According to an aspect, once the vehicle exterior has been mapped by thecontrol system 30, it can use this information to dynamically increasethe travel speed of the frame along the overhead rail system 18 asappropriate to speed up the wash process. With a roll over wash system,speed of the process is important as, the shorter the wash process, themore processes that can be completed in a given day, which means morerevenue for a wash operator.

According to an aspect, with the mapped vehicle exterior, the controlsystem 30 can divide the vehicle into individual segments and then canadjust the position of the top brush 20 and its travel speed asdisclosed in more detail in Applicant's concurrently filed patentapplication entitled “______” which is hereby incorporated by referenceas though set forth fully herein. According to an aspect, the controlsystem 30 can also vary or adjust the rotational speed of the top brush20 based on its location with respect to certain vehicle segments. Thus,the linear movement speed of the components and their rotational speedcan be dynamically varied depending upon vehicle geometry and otherfactors. It will also be appreciated that different types of vehiclescan have different segments. Exemplary segments can include thefollowing: (i) hood, (ii) windshield; (iii) roof; (iv) rear window. Thecontrol system 30 can obviously take into account a variety of othersegments.

According to another aspect as shown for example in FIGS. 12-21, the topbrush 20 may be supported by the frame 16 to allow for more accuratefollowing of a top exterior surface of a vehicle 14 to provide improvedcleaning. The top brush 20 may also be in communication with the controlsystem 30 so the top brush may be properly located vertically withrespect to an upper profile of the vehicle 14. As shown throughout theFigures, and in particular FIGS. 22-30, the top brush 20 may besupported on a linearly adjustable frame 21, which may also be referredto as a linear frame 21 or linear extension mechanism 21 or verticaltranslation mechanism 21, which allows for vertical movement of the topbrush 20 relative to the frame 16. This allows the top brush 20 to belowered and raised vertically by a control motor 122, which may be incommunication with the control system 30. The top brush 20 may also beraised and lowered by a control means other than a motor.

The linear frame 21 may be pivotally attached to an overhead portion ofthe frame 16 such that it may swing or move forward and backward (in thedirection of vehicle travel). This multiple degrees of travel providesimproved safety and minimized damage to the top brush 20. If a vehiclewere to bump the top brush 20, the linear frame 21 can swing withoutdamage to itself or the top brush 20. The linear frame 21 may havevarious forms that permit the top brush 20 to be raised and lowered in acontrolled manner. It will be appreciated that the reference to verticalmovement corresponds to the arrangement in which the top brush 20 movesin a vertical direction when it is raised and lowered, and in the eventthe linear frame 21 is tilted relative to vertical, that the verticalmovement will not be vertical, but will travel along the angle of tilt.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 22-28, according to an aspect, anexemplary linear frame 21 for the top brush 20 may be a scissor supportmechanism 60. As shown in the drawings, the scissor support mechanism 60can include a first scissor arm 62 located on one side of the vehicletreatment area 12 and a second scissor arm 64 located on the other sideof the vehicle treatment area 12. Each scissor arm 62, 64 is identicaland thus only one arm is discussed specifically as that descriptionapplies equally to both.

Each scissor arm 62, 64 may be secured to pivoting frame portion 80,which may be pivotally secured to an overhead portion of the frame 16 atan upper pivot point 66. Thus, the pivoting frame portion 80 may pivotrelative to the frame 16 via the pivot point 66. The scissor arms 62, 64may be extended and retracted in a linear direction relative to thepivoting frame portion 80. In that sense, the pivoting frame portion 80and the arms 62 and 64 remain in linear relationship with each other,with both the pivoting frame portion 80 and the arms 62 and 64 beingultimately pivotable relative to the frame 16.

Each arm 62, 64 can include a first set of links 68 and a second set oflinks 70 that are mirror images of one another. The first set of links68 may include inner links 68 a and outer links 68 b. The inner andouter links 68 a and 68 b can cross over each other, connect to eachother at a middle area, and connect end to end with each other. Forexample, for one inner link 68 a, an upper end is connected to a lowerend of an upper adjacent outer link 68 b, a lower end is connected to anupper end of a lower adjacent outer link 68 b, and a middle area isconnected to a middle area of centrally adjacent outer link 68 b. Theseconnections are pivotable connections. Similar connections may be madefor the second set of links 70, which include inner links 70 a and outerlinks 70 b. The connections may be described as end connections 72 andmiddle connections 88.

The ends of the links in the first set and the second set of links 68,70 are connected to one another by an axle 76 to allow the scissor armsto expand and retract and to space the first set of links 68 from thesecond set of links 70. The first set of horizontal links 68 and thesecond set of horizontal links 70 are spaced apart from one another suchthat each scissor arm 62, 64 has an interior space 78 between the links68 and 70.

In the retracted position, shown in FIGS. 22 and 28, the top brush 20can be removed upwardly away from potential contact with a vehicleexterior. Throughout travel, the inner links 68 a and 70 a are parallelto each other, and the outer links 68 b and 70 b are parallel to eachother. When fully retracted, the inner links 68 a and outer links 68 bare oriented at an acute angle relative to each other. When expanded,the relative angle increases, as shown in the progression from FIGS.22-24.

As will be appreciated, the first scissor arm 62 and the second scissorarm 64 are in communication with the drive motor 122 that is incommunication with the control system 30 to move the scissor supportmechanism 60 between the retracted and the expanded position, as shownin FIGS. 22-24. According to an aspect, the drive motor 122 can beactuated by the control system 30 based on the type of vehicle 14 in thevehicle treatment area 12 as well as based on the mapping of the vehicleprofile.

As the top brush 20 is lowered, the first scissor arm 62 and the secondscissor arm 64 expand and the links of the sets of links 68, 70 moveapart from one another. As each scissor arm 62, 64 expands, its widthdecreases (compared to the fully retracted position) as the top brush 20is lowered. As shown, each scissor support arm 62, 64 is secured topivoting frame member 80, which is pivotally secured to the frame 16 atpivot point 66. Each support arm 62, 64 is supported on a respectivemember 80 by a pair of vertical links 84. The vertical links 84 have abearing surface 86 that engages an upper surface of the member 80. Thisarrangement between the member 80 and the bearing surfaces 86 of thevertical links 84 allows the vertical links 84 to slide along the member80 as the support arms 62, 64 expand and retract. This serves to keepthe center of the each support arm 62, 64 and thus the top brush 20 inthe same vertical plane as it moves up and down. This arrangementprovides a floating connection between the scissor support mechanism 60and the frame 16, which, in turn, allows each support arm 62, 64 toself-center on their respective member 80. This floating arrangement ofthe scissor support mechanism 60 and the frame 16 can serve to minimizestress on the top brush 20. It will be appreciated that the links 84,the scissor support mechanism 60 and pivot pin 66 can have a variety ofdifferent configurations.

The linear frame 21 in the form of the scissor support mechanism 60 hasbeen described and illustrated as being pivotable relative to the frame16. However, it will be appreciated that the linear frame 21 may besecured to the frame 16 in a non-pivotable manner, as well. The pivotmechanism between the member 80 and the frame 16 may be locked orotherwise fixed to the frame 16, or the linear frame 21 may be securedto the frame 16 without interposition of the member 80. The ability ofthe linear frame 21 to expand and retract relative to the frame 16 maybe accomplished as described herein without pivoting, if desired.

According to an aspect, a brush support flange 90 is secured at a lowerend of each of the support arms 62, 64. Specifically, the brush supportflange 90 may be secured to the middle connection 88 of the bottom twolinks of each of the first and second sets of links 68, 70. The topbrush 20 is rotatably secured to the brush support flange 90 disposed oneach support arm 62, 64 such that the top brush 20 may be rotated withrespect to the support arms 62, 64. Also, because the weight of the topbrush 20 is carried by the brush support flange 90, the weight is notsupported directly by the first and second scissor arms 62, 64. A topbrush motor 92 may also be supported by the brush support flange 90 suchthat the top brush motor 92 is raised and lowered with the top brush 20.According to an aspect, the top brush motor 92 is in drivingcommunication with an axle 94 that is rotatably secured to the brushsupport flange 90 to effect rotation of the top brush 20.

With reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, according to another aspect, a beltsupport member 100 is in communication with a drive motor 122 to effectraising and lowering of the top brush and the retraction and expansionof the first and second scissor arms 62, 64. The belt support member 100includes an upper end that is in communication with the drive motor 122to effect retracting and unwinding of the belt support member 100. Thelower end of the belt support member 100 may be connected to the brushsupport flange 90 such that as the belt support member 100 is retractedand applies an upward force on the brush support flange 90 to retractthe scissor arms 62, 64 and thus raise the top brush 20. The beltsupport member 100 may be attached to the middle connection 88 at thebottom of the links, which is connected to the flange 90. Similarly, asthe belt support member 100 is unwound, the brush support member 100 canmove downward, which expands the scissor support arms 62, 64 and thuslower the top brush 20. As shown, the belt support member 100 may bedisposed within the interior space 78 of each scissor arm 62, 64. Due tothe self-centering of the scissor arms 62, 64, the belt support member100 can also remain generally centered within the interior space 78.

In another aspect, the scissor mechanism 60 may be raised and loweredvia a linear actuator, such as a telescoping member or via one or moremotors coupled directly to the links of the scissor support mechanism60.

According to an aspect, the arrangement and connection of the top brush20 to the frame 16 yields a connection without permanent vertical rails.Instead, the scissor arms 62, 64 act as guides to raise and lower thetop brush 20. When the scissor arms 62, 64 are retracted, there are nodownward hanging guides or rails into which a vehicle can bump or damagewhen it is pulling into the vehicle treatment area 12, which yieldssignificant advantages over current rollovers with permanent downwardlyextending guides. This also serves to minimize downtime of the washsystem 10 and any lost revenue associated with that downtime.

With reference to FIGS. 22-24, according to a further aspect shown inthe drawings, the scissor arms 62, 64 can also include a pickle forkmember 102. The scissor arm 62 or 64 that includes the top brush motor92 preferably includes the pickle fork member 102, due to the torquegenerated by the top brush motor 92, but the other of the arms 62 and 64may also include the pickle fork member 102. The pickle fork member 102is secured to the brush support flange 90 at a lower end 104 and extendsupward. The pickle fork member 102 may be integrally formed with thebelt support flange 90. The pickle fork member 102 has an opening 106formed in a middle portion thereof to divide the upper end of the picklefork member 102 into a first arm 108 and a second arm 110. The opening106 in the pickle fork member 102 is sized to receive a middleconnection point 112 that connects two horizontally adjacent links ofthe first and second sets of links 68, 70. This middle connection point112 may be disposed at one of the middle connection points 88 previouslydescribed, and remains in the opening 106 throughout the range of travelof the scissor arm 62, 64. Additionally, the opening 106 can receiveadditional ones of the middle connection points 88 when the scissor arm62, 64 retracts.

Accordingly, the pickle fork member 102 may act as an anti-spinmechanism or a torque dampening device, reducing instances where therotation of the top brush 20 causes the scissor mechanism 60 to bend orflex in response to the rotation of the top brush 20 and the contactbetween the top brush 20 and the vehicle body.

According to an aspect, the linear frame 21 described above in the formof the scissor support mechanism 60 may also be in the form of otherlinearly extending support mechanisms that can be controlled to extendand retract relative to the pivot frame member 80 or the frame member16. Put another way, the linear frame 21 does not need to be in the formof the scissor support mechanism 60.

In the case of the pivotable linear frame 21, such a configurationallows for a system that is resistant to damage in the event of vehiclepull through while the top brush 20 is in an extended position andlowered position. An example of the vehicle 14 pulling out of thevehicle treatment area 12 is shown in FIGS. 4-11. As shown in FIGS. 4and 5, the vehicle 14 is in a position in the middle of the vehicletreatment area 12, and the top brush 20 is in an extended and loweredposition and in the path of the vehicle 14. The top brush 20 is makingcontact with the front of the vehicle 14, which can be the result of thevehicle 14 moving forward or the brush 20 moving rearward.

FIGS. 4-21 illustrate various extended and retracted positons of thelinear frame 21, and illustrate how there is no downwardly extendingguides or rails or other structure that extends below the top brush 20.FIG. 4-21 also illustrate the linear frame 21 in various pivoted orvertical positions. As described above, the linear frame 21 may stillbeneficially operate without pivoting.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, following contact with the vehicle 14, thetop brush 20 is retracted upward, and the frame 16 has moved rearward.This upward retraction may be made in response to the detected vehiclecontour or in response to detecting that the vehicle 14 has contactedthe top brush 20 and is pulling forward.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the top brush 20 in a fully retracted state,which may be controlled based on the detected vehicle pull through toremove and protect the top brush 20 from further contact. The frame 16has also moved further rearward. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the linear frame 21is not pivoted.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate the vehicle 14 pulling further forward, andthe frame 16 having moved further rearward. The top brush 20 remainsretracted, and the linear frame 21 is in a non-pivoted state relative tothe frame 16.

FIGS. 4-11 illustrated how the system 10 may retract the top brush 20 asthe vehicle 14 is pulling through. The frame 16 is shown moving rearwardas the vehicle 14 pulls through. However, the frame 16 may also remainhorizontally fixed as the vehicle 14 pulls through.

FIGS. 12-21 illustrate an example of the top brush 20 being controllableto move vertically and horizontally while the vehicle 14 remainsstationary, and further illustrates how the pivoting of the brush may becontrolled to provide improved contact with a rear surface of thevehicle 14.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the vehicle 14 disposed in the middleof the vehicle treatment area 12, and the top brush 20 is extendeddownward and in contact with the front of the vehicle 14. The top brush20 is shown pivoted relative to vertical.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the top brush 20 in a partially extended positionand the frame 16 having moved rearward, with the vehicle 14 in the sameposition as in FIGS. 12 and 13. The retraction of the top brush 20relative to FIGS. 12 and 13 may be in response to signals from thecontrol system based on the vehicle contour or in response to feedbackfrom the top brush 20. The top brush 20 and pivot frame member 80 are ina pivoted position.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a further rearward position of the top brush20 and the frame 16, with the vehicle 14 remaining stationary. The topbrush 20 is in a fully retracted position, and the linear frame 21 andthe top brush 20 are in a non-pivoted state relative to the frame 16. Inthis position, the top brush is contacting the upper roof surface of thevehicle 14.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate a further rearward position of the top brush20, frame 16, and linear frame 21. The top brush 20 is extended downwardrelative to FIGS. 16 and 17, and the top brush 20 and the linear frame21 are pivoted relative to the frame 16. Unlike the previous pivotedpositions of the top brush 20 and the linear frame 21, the top brush 20and the pivot frame member 80 are pivoted in an opposite directionrelative to vertical. This opposite pivot direction may be in responseto following the rear contour of the vehicle 14, or in response tospecific controls from the control system 30.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a further rearward position of the top brush20, the linear frame 21, and the frame 16, and the top brush 20 isextended further downward relative to the FIGS. 18 and 19. The top brush20 and the linear frame 21 are pivoted in the same direction as in FIGS.18 and 19. This position allows for further cleaning of the rearsurface, and provides an improved wash.

In the above description related to FIGS. 12-21, the vehicle 14 remainedstationary within the vehicle treatment area 12. However, it will beappreciated that the above described movement of the top brush 20relative to the vehicle body 14 may still occur even if the vehicle 14is moving. The top brush 20 may still be controlled to be retracted andextended based on the vehicle contour and/or feedback.

The scissor mechanism 60 was shown throughout the figures, but it willbe appreciated that other linearly extendable mechanisms may be usedthat may be coupled to the pivot frame member 80 or the frame 16 thatallows for vertical movement to be combined and controlled to provide animproved wash over front, top, and rear surfaces.

Note that not all of the activities described above in the generaldescription or the examples are required, that a portion of a specificactivity may not be required, and that one or more further activitiesmay be performed in addition to those described. Still further, theorders in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order inwhich they are performed.

The specification and illustrations of the embodiments described hereinare intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of thevarious embodiments. The specification and illustrations are notintended to serve as an exhaustive and comprehensive description of allof the elements and features of apparatus and systems that use thestructures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure.Other embodiments may be used and derived from the disclosure, such thata structural substitution, logical substitution, or another change maybe made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,the disclosure is to be regarded as illustrative rather thanrestrictive.

Certain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context ofseparate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity,described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be providedseparately or in any sub combination. Further, reference to valuesstated in ranges includes each and every value within that range.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature of any or all the claims.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover any andall such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fallwithin the scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extentallowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determinedby the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims andtheir equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by theforegoing detailed description.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle washing system comprising: a framedisposed adjacent a vehicle treatment area configured to receive avehicle to be cleaned, the frame configured to support one or morevehicle treatment components; a scissor mechanism coupled to the frame,wherein the scissor mechanism is configured to reciprocate verticallywith respect to the frame toward and away from the vehicle treatmentarea; a brush coupled to the scissor mechanism such that the brush canbe raised and lowered with respect to a vehicle in the vehicle treatmentarea as the scissor mechanism reciprocates, wherein the brush isrotatable about a central axis thereof; a vertical drive mechanismcoupled to the scissor mechanism, the vertical drive mechanismconfigured to raise and lower the scissor mechanism.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising an anti-spin mechanism coupled to the scissormechanism.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a brush supportflange coupled to a bottom end of the scissor mechanism, wherein an axleof the brush is supported for rotation by the brush support flange. 4.The system of claim 3, further comprising a pickle fork member extendingbetween the brush support flange and the scissor mechanism.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the scissor mechanism includes a first armand a second arm, the first and second arms disposed on opposite lateralsides of the vehicle treatment area.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinthe scissor mechanism is pivotable relative to the frame.
 7. The systemof claim 1, wherein the vertical drive mechanism is integrated with thescissor mechanism, wherein the scissor mechanism is self-powered toreciprocate vertically.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the verticaldrive mechanism is separate from the scissor mechanism, wherein thescissor mechanism is raised and lowered in response to actuation of thevertical drive mechanism.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the verticaldrive mechanism is a windable belt mechanism.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the windable belt mechanism includes a belt that extends withina space defined by an arm of the scissor mechanism.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the belt mechanism is secured to a brush support flangethat is coupled to a bottom end of the scissor mechanism.
 12. The systemof claim 5, wherein the anti-spin mechanism is disposed at both thefirst and second arms.
 13. The system of claim 4, wherein the pickleform member includes a first arm and a second arm extending upwardlyfrom the brush support flange and defining an opening, wherein theopening receives a protrusion of the scissor mechanism.
 14. The systemof claim 13, wherein the protrusion travels along the opening duringreciprocal movement of the scissor mechanism.
 15. The system of claim 4,wherein the pickle fork is integrally formed with the brush supportflange.
 16. A method for treating a vehicle body in a vehicle washingsystem, the method comprising: providing a vehicle having a vehicle bodywithin a vehicle treatment area of a vehicle washing system; lowering ascissor mechanism toward the vehicle body, wherein the scissor mechanismincludes first and second scissor arms disposed on opposite sides of thevehicle body; moving a top brush downward toward the vehicle body alongwith the scissor mechanism, wherein the top brush is coupled to a bottomend of the scissor mechanism; rotating the top brush about a centralaxis thereof; moving the top brush horizontally relative to the vehiclebody; and raising the scissor mechanism and the top brush upward awayfrom the vehicle body; wherein the scissor mechanism is raised orlowered by a vertical drive mechanism.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the scissor support mechanism is coupled to the brush via abrush support flange, and a pickle fork member is fixed to the brushsupport flange and slidably coupled to the scissor mechanism.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the pickle fork member prevents bending ofthe scissor mechanism in response to rotating the top brush.
 19. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the vertical drive mechanism is integralwith the scissor support mechanism, and the scissor support mechanism isself-driven.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the vertical drivemechanism comprises a windable belt mechanism, and the method includesunwinding the belt to move the scissor mechanism downward and windingthe belt to move the scissor mechanism upward.
 21. A vehicle washingsystem comprising: a frame disposed adjacent a vehicle treatment areaconfigured to receive a vehicle to be cleaned, the frame configured tosupport one or more vehicle treatment components; a scissor mechanismcoupled to the frame, wherein the scissor mechanism is configured toreciprocate vertically with respect to the frame toward and away fromthe vehicle treatment area; a brush coupled to the scissor mechanismsuch that the brush can be raised and lowered with respect to a vehiclein the vehicle treatment area as the scissor mechanism reciprocates,wherein the brush is rotatable about a central axis thereof; and ananti-spin mechanism coupled to the scissor mechanism.